UK government launches Cyber Resilience Pledge with M&S and Capita signing up

Marks & Spencer has become one of the first companies to sign up to the UK government's new Cyber Resilience Pledge, following a year where the retailer was a prominent victim of cyber incidents. The voluntary scheme, launched by technology secretary Liz Kendall, aims to bolster the nation's digital defenses by encouraging organizations to prioritize cybersecurity at a board level, utilize the National Cyber Security Centre's Early Warning service, and promote Cyber Essentials certification among suppliers, as reported by The Register.

The Cyber Resilience Pledge has garnered 60 signatories, including major corporations like Microsoft, Aviva, and Vodafone. Kendall emphasized that the pledge elevates cybersecurity from an IT concern to a business imperative, especially as AI makes attacks more sophisticated. While M&S's participation is expected after its previous breaches, notable absences include Co-op, Harrods, and Jaguar Land Rover. Capita, despite recent significant data breaches and a substantial fine, has also signed the pledge. The pledge lacks an enforcement mechanism, making the signatories' commitment purely voluntary.

Source: The Register